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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but for sure it wasn't... this.
I think I had gotten spoiled by all the other fantasy books I had read, which ended up in one way or another in a full-scale war. That's why I was so confused and intrigued at the same time when I realised this time would be different.
The quest that is central to the whole story is Ged's (the main character) alone and, differently from most common fantary tropes, it doesn't turn him into a hero ready to sacrifice himself for a greater good, bur rather forces him to go through a dark path of isolation, self-doubt, and fear. The joyous moments all throughout the novel could be counted on the fingers of a single hand, if the owner of said hand had lost at least two fingers. That's why I was so surprised to realise that it's a YA.
What impressed me the most was the way that the scenes dominated by anguish were depicted. Everything was so intense and vivid that I could see the events happening right in front of my eyes.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the young (but already traumatise) Ged will turn out once he starts becoming more adult. It's true that he's already seen a lot, but I can't see his current personality staying the same until the very end of the series.
I also hope there will be more chances for Get to interact more and more in depth with secondary characters. The nature of this first book makes it so that he purposefully draws a line between him and the rest fearing what the shadow could do to them, and people fear him or simply don't trust him because they can feel this. It perfectly serves the alienating situation Ged is in, but it could become heavy to deal with for readers if it keeps on going on even in the following books.
I think I had gotten spoiled by all the other fantasy books I had read, which ended up in one way or another in a full-scale war. That's why I was so confused and intrigued at the same time when I realised this time would be different.
The quest that is central to the whole story is Ged's (the main character) alone and, differently from most common fantary tropes, it doesn't turn him into a hero ready to sacrifice himself for a greater good, bur rather forces him to go through a dark path of isolation, self-doubt, and fear. The joyous moments all throughout the novel could be counted on the fingers of a single hand, if the owner of said hand had lost at least two fingers. That's why I was so surprised to realise that it's a YA.
What impressed me the most was the way that the scenes dominated by anguish were depicted. Everything was so intense and vivid that I could see the events happening right in front of my eyes.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the young (but already traumatise) Ged will turn out once he starts becoming more adult. It's true that he's already seen a lot, but I can't see his current personality staying the same until the very end of the series.
I also hope there will be more chances for Get to interact more and more in depth with secondary characters. The nature of this first book makes it so that he purposefully draws a line between him and the rest fearing what the shadow could do to them, and people fear him or simply don't trust him because they can feel this. It perfectly serves the alienating situation Ged is in, but it could become heavy to deal with for readers if it keeps on going on even in the following books.
slow-paced
I think if I had read this as a child then it would’ve scored better, but as an adult it was a total drag (even at a mere 166 pages). I think it would be a fun bed time story to read for children, though.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to it on Audible and I think the that actually really took away from the experience. I heard such good things about this story but I found I kept getting bored and tuning out while I was listening. I may have to read it in print.
"It is very hard for evil to take hold of the unconsenting soul.”
Such a strange story. Beautifully written, it reads like something that has been uncovered in a tomb somewhere. A brooding coming-of-age story with excellent world-building sprinkled with vivid descriptions. It is classic fantasy so character-building is a bit lacking.
Such a strange story. Beautifully written, it reads like something that has been uncovered in a tomb somewhere. A brooding coming-of-age story with excellent world-building sprinkled with vivid descriptions. It is classic fantasy so character-building is a bit lacking.
Writing my review almost 3 months later because I’m still reflecting on what a wonderful experience this was. A beautifully written fable about running away from your problems. I felt like I was being told this tale by a wizened old sage around a warm fire.